Device for dispensing fluids

ABSTRACT

A device for dispensing fluid from an aerosol container of the kind which meters discrete doses, operable to dispense the dose when suction is applied. The preferred form of the device has a recess to hold the aerosol with the outlet of the aerosol sealingly secured in a cavity, and a resilient element to seal the outlet from the cavity, which opens into an air duct. The resilient element is held against the cavity outlet by a springloaded pivoted arm, and a vane on the arm is located in the air duct, so that suction applied at the outlet of the duct will cause the vane to pivot the arm and release the element. In use, the aerosol is operated to meter a dose, which is held partly in the aerosol outlet and partly in the cavity until suction applied at the outlet of the duct causes the cavity to be opened and the dose dispensed into the duct.

Warren 11] 3,826,413 [4 July 30, 1974 DEVICE FOR DISPENSING FLUIDSWilliam Edward Warren, Cuffley, England Inventor:

Assignee: Bespak Industries Limited, Waltham Foreign ApplicationPriority Data July 19,1971 Great Britain 33793}?! US. Cl. 222/402.13,128/173 Int. Cl 865d 83/14 Field of Search 222/402.13, 402.20;

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Primary Examiner-Robert B. ReevesAssistant Examiner-Joseph .l. Rolla Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Browne,Beveridge, De- Grandi & Kline 5 7 ABSTRACT A device for dispensing fluidfrom an aerosol container of the kind which meters discrete doses,operable to dispense the dose when suction is applied. The preferredform of the device has a recess to hold the aerosol with the outlet ofthe aerosol sealingly secured in a cavity, and a resilient element toseal the outlet from the cavity, which opens into an air duct. Theresilient element is held against the cavity outlet by a spring-loadedpivoted arm, and a vane on the arm is located in the air duct, so thatsuction applied at the outlet of the duct will cause the vane to pivotthe arm and release the element. ln use, the aerosol is operated tometer a dose, which is held partly in the aerosol outlet and partly inthe cavity until suction applied at the outlet of the duct causes thecavity to be opened and the dose dispensed into the duct.

13 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures .1 DEVICE FOR DISPENSING FLUIDS BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION The invention relates to devices for dispensing fluids,

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART The use of aerosols for the relief ofailments such as asthma and bronchitis has been known for many years. Itis however important that the user receives a dose of the drug from theaerosol at the commencement of inhalation of the breath to ensure thatthe fine particles penetrate into the smallest airways in the lungs.

Apparatus has been devised in which the user must suck at a mouthpieceand then actuate the aerosol, the user not being able to draw any breathuntil the aerosol is actuated. This is undesirable as many users havedifficulty drawing breath even under normal circumstances.

In other known devices the user first cocks a spring on the device andthen draws a breath through the device. The spring is triggered by abreath controlled valve and the energy stored in the spring is utilisedto actuate the aerosol. However these devices are complicated inconstruction and therefore expensive. Furthermore as considerable forceis required to actuate the aerosol the dose is not always released rightat the start of drawing breath.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide adevice for dispensing fluid from an aerosol container which device is ofvery simple and inexpensive construction, being composed of only a smallnumber of moving parts.

It is a further object of the invention to provide such a device inwhich a dose of fluid may readily be provided when suction is applied tothe device.

In general terms these objects are achieved by producing a device inwhich a dose may first be released from the aerosol and stored,subsequent application of suction opening a valve mechanism to releasethe dose. The valve mechanism may conveniently be designed to operateunder the influence of very low forces.

Accordingly the invention provides a device for dispensing fluid from anaerosol container of the kind described comprising a duct having aninlet and an outlet, means to receive the spray head of the aerosol insealing engagement therewith so that on actuation of the aerosol adiscrete dose of fluid is stored at least partially in the spray head, aflow sensor arranged in the duct and a valve connected to the flowsensor such that when the pressure at the outlet of the duct falls belowthe pressure on the inlet side by a predetermined amount the valveconnects the said receiving means to the duct so that the dose of fluidis free to pass into the duct.

It is preferred that the dose is stored partly in the spray head andpartly in the receiving means.

The aerosol may be of the kind in which movement of the aerosol bodytoward the spray head causes a dose of fluid to be ejected into thespray head.

Alternativelythe aerosol may be of the kind in which movement of theaerosol body towards the spray head causes a dose of fluid to beprepared for ejection into the spray head and return movement of theaerosol away from the spray head causes ejection of the dose. As afurther alternative the aerosol may be of the kind in which movement ofthe aerosol body towards the spray head causes continuous flow of fluidinto the spray head. To eject a discrete dose with either of these twoalternative aerosols it is necessary to move the aerosol body towardsthe spray head and then away from the spray head. When the device is foruse with either of these two alternative aerosols the device may includemeans to prevent connection of the duct to the receiving means until thediscrete dose has been ejected into the spray head.

The flow sensor preferably comprises a movable vane mounted in the duct.

The valve member may comprise a resilient member urgeable against anaperture in the receiving means which aperture leads to a port in theduct.

Preferably the vane is pivotally mounted and the valve member isarranged on a lever rigidly mounted on the vane.

The valve may be spring urged against the said aperture (e.g., by aspring connected to the vane). Alternatively means may be provided tourge the valve against the aperture just before fluid is ejected intothe spray head, the flow sensor acting to release said means.

In the case where the valve is biased to the closed position, the devicemay include means for relieving the seating pressure of the valve whenthe device is not in use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLES OF THEINVENTION Referring to FIG. 1, an inhaling device for dispensingmedicament to, for instance, asthma sufferers comprises a plasticscasing 11 having an outlet orifice 12 of a suitable size and shape forinsertion into the mouth of a user. The casing 11 defines a recess 13 inwhich there is placed an aerosol-type medicament dispenser 14. Thedispenser 14 is of a known type, and incorporates a metering valve 15having a spray stem 16, which valve operates to eject into the stem 16 apredetermined amount of medicament when the dispenser 14 is presseddownwards while the stem 16 is supported against movement. The stem isreceived sealingly in socket 18.

Also fitted within casing 11 is a control assembly comprising a body 17,vane 31, lever 26 and socket 19. The socket l9 and body 17 are rigidlyinterconnected and lever 26, which is integral with vane 31, ispivotally mounted in the body 17 by means of a saddle 26a whichstraddles a flange 26b.

Socket 19 receives socket l8 and in the cavity between the two socketsthere is arranged a resilient valve disc 22. Socket 19 has an outletport 21. Valve member 22 is movable towards the socket 18 to seal anoutlet 18a in the lower end thereof. An operating rod 23 so dimensionedthat air entering by the inlet holes 29 must pass up on one side of thevane, over the top of the vane and down past the sockets 18 and 19 toreach the outlet orifice 12. A spring 30 connects the lever to thecasing 11, and biases it in a counter clockwise direction. As a resultof such biasing, the rod 23 is moved upwards and holds the valve member22 against the socket 18 to seal it, while the air vane 31 is moved to aposition in which it effectively closes duct 28 completely. A dust cap32 is provided, which may be fitted over the outlet orifice 12, and thedust cap includes a tongue 33 engageable with an extension 34 on thelever 26 to move it downwardly, thus releasing the pressure on the valvemember 22 when the device is not in use. The dust cap has a furthertongue 32a to close the inlet holes.

' In use of the device, the asthma sufferer inserts the outlet orifice12 into his mouth, depresses the dispenser 14, and draws a breath.Depression of the dispenser 14 makes available partly' in the stem 16and partly in socket 18 a dose of medicament, but because the .valvemember 22 is held against the socket 18 by the rod 23, this dose is heldback. When the user draws breath,

however, a partial vacuum is created in the region of drawn from thesocket 18, so that the air flowing past the valve assembly entrains thedose of medicament which passes from the stem 16 and socket 18 into theduct. Thus it will be seen that by the use of this device the asthmasufferer receives the dose of medicament at the very beginning of theintake of breath, thus ensuring that the medicament penetrates into thesmallest airways in the lungs.

operating rod 23 of the valve assembly is mounted on a lever 35 pivotedto the casing 11 and is biased away from the valve assembly by a spring36 connected to the lever 35. On the other end of the lever 35 is atrigger arm 37 engageable by a projection 38 connected to the air vane31 (which is here pivoted on the casing 11). A further lever 39 ismounted on the casing 11 and is biased in a clockwise direction by aspring 41. One

' end of the lever 39 is connected by a push rod 42 to the dispenser 14,while the other end is engageable under a step in the trigger arm 37.

In the use of the device, the air vane 31 is initially in the positionshown, blocking the inlet 29. The dispenser 14 is depressed to dispensea dose of medicament and as it is depressed the push rod'42 rotates thelever 39 counter clockwise, so that the outer end of the lever lifts thetrigger arm 37 and the lever 35 and thus raises the push rod, moving thevalve member upwards .to seal the stem 16 before the dose is actuallydispensed. Thus, depression of the dispenser 14 makes the doseavailable, under pressure, inthe stem 16. When the user of the devicethen sucks at the outlet orifice 12, the partial vacuum within the airduct 28 results in the vane 31 rotating in a counter clockwise directionso that the projection 38 engages the top of the trigger arm and movesit away from the lever 39. The lever 35 then drops under the influenceof spring 36, aided by the pressure of the medicament on the valvemember 22, and the medicament is then dispensed into the air stream fromthe valve stem 16. When the dispenser 14 is released after breath hasbeen drawn, a reset arm 43, rigidly connected to the lever 39, moves thevane 31 back to its start position.

Referring now to FIG. 3, in this embodiment a lever 44 is used tooperate dispenser 14; at the end of the lever'44 a vertically movingslide 45 is arranged, which is engageable with a projection 46 on thetrigger arm 37. An interlock 47 between the vane 31 and the trigger arm37 allows relative vertical movement of the arm and vane but ensuresthat counter clockwise rotation of the vane causes the trigger arm tomove to the left, away from the slide 45. The operating rod 23, thelever 35, the spring 36 and the trigger arm are arranged in a similarmanner to that shown in FIG. 2, except that the fulcrum is positionedbetween the operating rod and the trigger arm rather than at one end ofthe lever.

In use of the device shown in FIG. 3, the lever 44 is depressed, thusdepressing the dispenser 14 to release a dose of medicament and at thesame time depressing the trigger arm 37 via the slide 45 and theprojection- 46. This causes the lever 35 to rotate in a clockwisedirection pushing the operating rod 23 and therefore the valve member 22upwards to seal the dose dispensed in the stem 16 as in the otherembodiments described. When the user draws breath through the orifice12, the vane 31 is rotated counter clockwise and draws the projection 46away from the slide 45, and when they disengage the spring 36 causes thevalve assembly to dispense the dose available in the stem 16, theoperating rod 23 being moved downwards. This arrangement has certainadvantages, from a mechanical point of view, as the distances moved bythe parts involved are increased, thus allowing greater manufacturingtolerances. Furthermore, the force required to operate the device isreduced by the use of the lever 44.

Generally, the invention provides a device by which 7 the user canobtain the dose of medicament at the correct point in his drawing in ofbreath, and this is achieved in an arrangement in which the forcesrequired are very low and the parts are not stressed except over thevery short period of use. Previous devices have consisted of anarrangement in which an air vane is linked to the dispenser, it beingnecessary for the patient to suck at the orifice before, and during,depression of the dispenser. The air vane is held in a closed positionuntil such time as the dispenser is operated, so that the patientobtains no air at all until such time as he operates the dispenser, andclearly this is undesirable for asthma sufferers who are in any caseshort of breath. In other devices, the drawing of breath by the patienttriggers an arrangement which operates the metering valve directly,utilising the energy stored in a spring to overcome the considerableresistance (about 5 lbs) of the metering device. The present invention,on the other hand, utilises a two stage action in-which the fluid isdispensed and stored by hand pressure on the dispenser and is releasedby an air vane arrangement on drawing breath, which release requiresvery little pressure.

The invention includes a miniature version of the present deviceoperated by a battery. In this version there is no obstruction to theflow of air, but the commencement of flow is sensed by a Pirani type ofgauge in a bridge circuit (e.g., a hot wire anemometer), and a tinysolenoid is switched to release the dose.

The above examples of devices may be utilised with the alternativeaerosols described although it may be desirable to provide means whichprevent operation of the valve member 22 after the dispenser has beenpressed downwardly until the dispenser is released. This would ensurethat the user receives a single discrete dose at the start of drawingbreath. For instance means may be provided to lock the vane 31 in theposition shown in FIG. 1 (i.e., the sealing position) when the dispenser14 is in the depressed position.

Although the invention has been described with particular reference todevices for dispensing medicament to asthma sufferers, it will be clearthat the general principles'of the invention may be extended to a farwider field.

I claim:

1. An aerosol device comprising a housing in which is located an aerosolcontainer of the type which has a tubular valve stem which isdepressable against a spring means and internal valve means which isopened when the valve stem is depressed to deliver a discrete metereddose of fluid through the stem and is closed when the stem is released,said housing having receiving means for said container which makessealing engagement with said stem of said container, and which resistsmovement of said stem away from said container, a duct in fluidconnection with said receiving means, one end of said duct being open tothe atmosphere and the other end thereof being arranged for insertioninto the mouth of a user, a second valve means disposed exterior of saidtubular valve stem to prevent flow of said metered dose from said steminto said duct after the stem has been depressed, a flow sensor arrangedin said duct, and means to release said second valve means to allow saiddose to flow into said duct when said flow sensor detects a flow of airin the duct caused by a user inhaling through the duct.

2. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which said receiving meanscomprises a chamber and wherein said dose may be stored partly in saidchamber.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2 in which said second valve meanscomprises a resilient member urgeable against an aperture in saidreceiving means which aperture leads to a port in said duct.

4. A device as claimed in claim 3 including means to urge said secondvalve means against said aperture just before fluid is ejected into thereceiving means, said flow sensor acting to release said means.

5. A device as claimed in claim 3 in which said second valve means isspring urged against said aperture.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, further including means for releasingsaid second valve means when the device is not in use.

7. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which said second valve means makesa sealing engagement directly with said stem.

8. A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said aerosol container ismovably mounted in said housing and wherein movement of said aerosolcontainer to depress said valve stem renders said second valve meansinoperative to connect said stem and said duct.

9. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which said flow sensor comprises amovable vane mounted in said duct.

10. A device as claimed in claim 9 in which said vane is pivotallymounted and said valve means is arranged on a lever rigidly connected tothe vane.

11. Av device as claimed in claim 10 in which said vane pivots about ahinge between said lever and the end of said duct arranged for insertioninto the mouth of the user, said hinge being adjacent said second valvemeans.

' 12. A device for dispensing fluid from anaerosol container of the kinddescribed comprising: an elongate housing having two parallellongitudinal chambers therein each having an end access opening, the twoopenings being at opposite ends of the housing respectively; one chamberbeing arranged to receive through the access opening the aerosolcontainer, spray head first, and having a socket in the end of thechamber opposite the access opening to sealingly receive the spray head,there being in the base of the socket an outlet aperture for fluid; abase plate; an elongate vane mounted on the plate so as to be pivotableon the plate, about an axis parallel to the plate, the plate having atleast one inlet aperture therein on one side of the vane and beingconnected or connectible to the housing with the vane extending into theother chamber to define a duct which passes from the said inlet apertureup the said one side of the vane, over the top of the vane, down theother side of the vane and past the said outlet aperture of the socket;a lever integral with the vane and carrying a resilient valve member;and a spring urging the vane into a position in which the lever pressesthe valve member against the said outlet aperture to seal the aperture;the arrangement being such that when an aerosol is inserted into thesaid one chamber, spray head first, and is then actuated, a dose offluid from the aerosol is stored partly in the spray head and partly inthe socket, and when suction is subsequently applied to the end of theduct remote from the inlet aperture, air flow along the duct moves thevane into a position to release the valve member so that the close offluid is released into the air flow through the said outlet aperture.

13. A device as claimed in claim 12 including a dust cap mountable inthe housing to close both ends of the duct, the cap having a memberarranged to move the lever and vane to the position in which the valvemember is released, so that when the device is not in use the pressureon the socket exerted by the valve member is relieved.

1. An aerosol device comprising a housing in which is located an aerosolcontainer of the type which has a tubular valve stem which isdepressable against a spring means and internal valve means which isopened when the valve stem is depressed to deliver a discrete metereddose of fluid through the stem and is closed when the stem is released,said housing having receiving means for said container which makessealing engagement with said stem of said container, and which resistsmovement of said stem away from said container, a duct in fluidconnection with said receiving means, one end of said duct being open tothe atmosphere and the other end thereof being arranged for insertioninto the mouth of a user, a second valve means disposed exterior of saidtubular valve stem to prevent flow of said metered dose from said steminto said duct after the stem has been depressed, a flow sensor arrangedin said duct, and means to release said second valve means to allow saiddose to flow into said duct when said flow sensor detects a flow of airin the duct caused by a user inhaling through the duct.
 2. A device asclaimed in claim 1 in which said receiving means comprises a chamber andwherein said dose may be stored partly in said chamber.
 3. A device asclaimed in claim 2 in which said second valve means comprises aresilient member urgeable against an aperture in said receiving meanswhich aperture leads to a port in said duct.
 4. A device as claimed inclaim 3 including means to urge said second valve means against saidaperture just before fluid is ejected into the receiving means, saidflow sensor acting to release said means.
 5. A device as claimed inclaim 3 in which said second valve means is spring urged against saidaperture.
 6. A device as claimed in claim 5, further including means forreleasing said second valve means when the device is not in use.
 7. Adevice as claimed in claim 1 in which said second valve means makes asealing engagement directly with said stem.
 8. A device as claimed inclaim 1 wherein said aerosol container is movably mounted in saidhousing and wherein movement of said aerosol container to depress saidvalve stem renders said second valve means inoperative to connect saidstem and said duct.
 9. A device as claimed in claim 1 in which said flowsensor comprises a movable vane mounted in said duct.
 10. A device asclaimed in claim 9 in which said vane is pivotally mounted and saidvalve means is arranged on a lever rigidly connected to the vane.
 11. Adevice as claimed in claim 10 in which said vane pivots about a hingebetween said lever and the end of said duct arranged for insertion intothe mouth of the user, said hinge being adjacent said second valvemeans.
 12. A device for dispensing fluid from an aerosol container ofthe kind described comprising: an elongate housing having two parallellongitudinal chambers therein each having an end access opening, the twoopenings being at opposite ends of the housing respectively; one chamberbeing arranged to receive through the access opening the aerosolcontainer, spray head first, and having a socket in the end of thechamber opposite the access opening to sealingly receive the spray head,there being in the base of the socket an outlet aperture for fluid; abase plate; an elongate vane mounted on the plate so as to be pivotableon the plate, about an axis parallel to the plate, the plate having atleast one inlet aperture therein on one side of the vane and beingconnected or connectible to the housing with the vane extending into theother chamber to define a duct which passes from the said inlet apertureup the said one side of the vane, over the top of the vane, down theother side of the vane and past the said outlet aperture of thE socket;a lever integral with the vane and carrying a resilient valve member;and a spring urging the vane into a position in which the lever pressesthe valve member against the said outlet aperture to seal the aperture;the arrangement being such that when an aerosol is inserted into thesaid one chamber, spray head first, and is then actuated, a dose offluid from the aerosol is stored partly in the spray head and partly inthe socket, and when suction is subsequently applied to the end of theduct remote from the inlet aperture, air flow along the duct moves thevane into a position to release the valve member so that the dose offluid is released into the air flow through the said outlet aperture.13. A device as claimed in claim 12 including a dust cap mountable inthe housing to close both ends of the duct, the cap having a memberarranged to move the lever and vane to the position in which the valvemember is released, so that when the device is not in use the pressureon the socket exerted by the valve member is relieved.